Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

Over the last 6 months or so I have been working on an idea for a multiplayer campaihgn game similar to the ones I ran years ago. One of the big obstacles in keeping them running through to completion is coordinating all the players, creating files and following up with players to get their Pbem's done.

I have revamped my campaign format to go with a system that allows all the players to play against the AI instead of the frequently time consuming (and deal breaking) Pbem games. It means that there is no real strategic layer like I used to run BUT it allows the teams to compete and aside to be determined as the "winner". It is a point based system. Each teams success or failure will determine the next mission they will fight (Advance, Delay, etc). The team with the highest score at the end, after all rounds have been completed wins.

If you may be interested you WILL need to know how to use the Editor to some extent but it is not that hard (there is no editing of units, etc). What you will do is set up the "Battle" based on your OOB and the information contained in your unit OPORDER. Then you play the battle against the AI through the end of the fight. You then send me the End Game save and I update your OOB (and the higher HQ's OOB if you lose any attached units). Each battle is scored and your team gets the point value you earned. Each team fights the same # of battles so each "round" they can get the same total (to keep it fair).

You will command a designated Battalion based on a realistic OOB forom a real operation (likely Operation COBRA). There will be a German Team and an American Team. Involved units will probably be Panzer Lehr and the 4th US Armored Division if i go with COBRA. I will need team leaders who will act as Division/Regiment Commanders who will be responsible for assigning Division/Regiment level assets to be used by players as reinforcements and support units. These leaders will still play at Battalion level so they are not left out. Basically one of the BN commanders will also be the Regiment Commander and at least 1 of the teams BN commanders will act as Division Commander. We will probably need about 9 players per team.

I have attached a DRAFT of the part of the rules that explains the BATTLE setup process. If you think you may be interested in participating please download the attachment to this post and read through it. You will need to know how to do these procedures in order to play but they are fairly simple. Please feel free to practice. :)

I can answer any questions you may have in this thread.

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

this seems a great idea, (division commander? how about brigade?) we can even create a ranking so that everyone must start as BN commander, then he can be promoted to regimental CO, then brigade/division commander, how do my suggestions sound for you?am i crazy?

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

This ia a great idea and I wish you luck. You are to be applauded for your efforts. If you want me I'd volunteer to lead A German Kampfgruppe.

I have one question or query. The map size being 50 x 50 seems rather small comapared to the size I usally play on. From your opening post it seems we will be using a reinforced Battalion (with support units that is). 50x50 seems quite small for mechansied units to be fighting on. 50x50 equates to a frontage of 2.5Km squared I think.

Regardless of unit size count me in if you need volunteers.

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

Because we would be using realistic OOB's these positions would need to be filled at the start. Brigade Command is not listed as the US would be using 3 Combat Commands (with 2 BN each) and the Germans would be using 3 Regiments (with 2 BN each) plus there is a Recon BN. The only thing is this gives the Germans 7 Command positions to the US' 6. To make this fair (for the points system) I would need 1 more US/Allied Commands or I would need to keep the Recon BN at the Division level and have it parted out as a support unit by the Division Commnader.

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

The map size will likely be changed. I will probably go with at least 80x80 but then I may adjust it depending on the mission a unit is given. The 50x50 was just used to get the rules in written format and give interested parties something to read through and see what would be involved. I was also intending to have this be done with player commands at Company level, instead of Battalion.

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

Panzer Lehr Division

Right now as it stands these would be the German command positions I would need filled (RED means an actual battle commander, BLUE means the unit/assets are subject to assignment from the Division level commander each round);

Panzer Lehr Division Commander (would be 130th Panzer Lehr Recon BN Commander)

130th Panzer Lehr Recon BN Commander
130th Panzerjaeger Lehr Battalion
130th Panzer Pioneer Battalion
331st Army Flak Battalion
130th Panzer Artillery Regiment
Divisional Escort Company

130th Panzer Regiment Commander (would be II BN Commander)

I Battalion/6 Panzer Regiment/3 Panzer Division (attached)
II Battalion/130th Panzer Regiment

901st PanzerGrenadier Regiment Commander (would be I BN Commander)

I Battalion/901st PanzerGrenadier Regiment
II Battalion/901st PanzerGrenadier Regiment

902nd PanzerGrenadier Regiment Commander (would be I BN Commander)

I Battalion/902nd PanzerGrenadier Regiment
II Battalion/902nd PanzerGrenadier Regiment

As mentioned, Regiment commanders are only designated to create the feel of a Chain of Command, they are not positions that require any real added player committment. The Division Commander would be responsible for assigning out the Division level assets, as needed.

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

4th Armored Division

Right now as it stands these would be the American command positions I would need filled (RED means an actual battle commander, BLUE means the unit/assets are subject to assignment from the Division level commander each round);

4th Armored Division Commander (would be 25th Cavalry Recon Commander)

25th Cavalry Recon Squadron (Mechanized) (3 Troops)
24th Armored Engineer Battalion (3 Companies)
22nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion (Medium SP)
66th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (Medium SP)
94th Armored Field Artillery Battalion (Heavy SP)
704th Tank Destroyer Battalion (3 Companies)
489th AAA AW Battalion (SP) (4 Platoons)

Combat Command A Commander (would be 8th BN Commander)

8th Tank Battalion
10th Armored Infantry Battalion

Combat Command B Commander (would be 35th BN Commander)

35th Tank Battalion
51st Armored Infantry Battalion

Combat Command C Commander (would be 37th BN Commander)

37th Tank Battalion
53rd Armored Infantry Battalion

As mentioned, Combat Command commanders are only designated to create the feel of a Chain of Command, they are not positions that require any real added player committment. The Division Commander would be responsible for assigning out the Division level assets, as needed.

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

OK, I figured an easy way to make it 7 vs 7. Each Division level Recon unit is now a playable command.

Also, the playable commands are Kampgruppe/Task Force organized so you will not be stuck playing a pure Infantry or Armor unit. You will have a mixture of both BUT it will be either Infantry or Armor heavy. ;)

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

Voluteering to lead a Batallion of the 4th Armored Division sir! waiting for more players to join
btw, created a zone for us Click me i'm a link! , to keep our info on a single place (did i go too far with this idea?) if i can get my dirty little paws on a place i can create a forum...

Hello!

nice work so far please count me in. After thinking about which German command to ask for I decided it might be more fun if I was appointed to one and then make the most of it!

A few points:

1.Don't forgot the Panzer Leher included the 116th (FKL) Panzer company with 14 Tiger II. I'm sure every sub unit commander will be hoping for these units!

2. How are you going to reflect the fact that the armoured and infantry units would in practice be working together at tactical level if in different commands? The Kampfgruppes of the time were normally all arms multi battalion affairs.

3. If going for battalion size I'd suggest a map of at least 100-150 by 100-150 if not more to allow for more manauver warfare.

4. Thinking about it further most of the regiments in the Leher Division also had regimental assets such as AA, Infantry gun and addtional pioneers. It may be worth letting the Regimental commanders assign them in a similar way to how you plan the Divs leaders to do for Div assets. If you need any aid in what regiments had what let me know

Thanks for all your hard work by the way!

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

Are the Combat Command Things the regiments? how about some regimental assets, or even corps assets given for the division CO, like an extra arty battallion

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

Yes, basically they are 2 Battalions in a Combat Command, that cross attach between themselves. The Armor Battalion gives 1 company of tanks to the Infantry BN and the Infantry Battalion gives them an Infantry company in return.

Combat Commands have available Division and Corps assets BUT I am limiting these somewhat to keep things manageable for me. Things may be kind of confusing until I start creating the the final, detailed OOB's.

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

Some things to note.

The OOB's will be modified for playability and balance so some things may be left out. Also neither unit was at full strength (especially the Germans) so I will taking some leeway with what is actually included in the campaign. It will also NOT include the pounding via air that Lehr took so many things will end up being abstracted (AKA fudged). ;)

Because players will have to purchase their OOB before each battle losses will need to be adjusted so that players can purchase the units in WinSPWW2. For example if you lose 2 tanks of a 5 tank platoon in the previous battle how do you allow the player to use that platoon in the next battle when you cannot purchase a 3 tank platoon in the WinSPWW2 purchase screens. Same for squads that have losses, while they should start the next battle with 3 men instead of 12, you cannot simulate this in the purchase screens. Things like this will be "abstracted".

Regarding the detailed OOB's, please see my previous reply to iCaMpWiThAWP. Much will be abstracted/adjusted for balance and playability (plus I need to keep this manageable) so not all units that may have been involved will be included.

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

No worries any added support ideas will help. I do have my own forum that I will likely set up a section for to help players communicate between battles and post AAR's, etc. It will also be a central contact location for files, rules, online OOB's etc.

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

Call for help if you need any :D
btw, me and BK are the only members? still need 12 more D:

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

Good day, DD

Might be interested I'll read the rules, then I've couple questions, but the rules may answer them

Bob out:D

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

The attachment doesn't contain any rules as they are still being written out. What I attached was a description of the process that players will need to know/do in order create the battle file (based on their mission) and to accurately purchase their assigned OOB for the battle itself. Yo need to be a little familiar with the Editor in order to do it.

I am checking on some things as they may require the CD version BUT if it does, we can work around that for those with only the DL version. IF you or anyone else reading through this, wants to play some interesting custom battles against the AI and as a member of a team, in a campaign like environment this might be worth jumping in on.

If you do have any questions please just ask.

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

Sounds intresting DD & thanks for taking the time to trial it, downloading rules

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

DD

Sounds good, I have several questions. When did you think this would get rolling, roughly? What if a player is away for a week or so?

Bob out:D

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

Not sure on start. mainly testing waters ()and the actual rules need to be ironed out).

Should not be a problem if you are away for a week or so since all games are vs AI (I suspect some players will finish in a few days once they get their mission :D ). I'm thinking 25-30 turn battles with a 30 day time limit. I am hoping we can turn battles, update OOB's generate next battle missions every 30 days with a 6 battle campaign.

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

Good day DD

That's pretty ambitious, but I'll say tuned. I may have to drop some PBEM commitments to get into this.

Thanks, Bob out:D

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

I could actually get this rolling with only 4 players (2x US and 2x German) for playtesting and working out the kinks.

I have most of the rules written down on paper but not in an electronic format. In truth, players will not need to know much of the inner workings except for the overall victory objective/conditions and what they need to do to play their battle. There is no strategic overlay/map and no replacement system. I will review the end game files and determine each units OOB available for the next battle (these will be adjusted so that they are "purchasable" in the WinSP Editor).

Players will only really be required to generate and play their battles and then provide me with the end game save file. They will also be required to write and send me a small AAR (nothing detailed) and maybe post some screenshots here for any lurkers enjoyment.

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

This would be the 901st Panzer Grenadier Regiment, Panzer Lehr Div (2 Battalions) for the Germans and Combat Command B, 4th Armored Div (2 Battalions) for the Americans. Both forces would have Armor mixed in with their Armored Infantry so each players would start with a mixed Armor/Infantry force.

I am looking at 3 rounds for the playtest campaign so that means 3 battles vs the AI for each player, probably 30 turn battles.

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

AS before you can count me in to command a kampfgruppe!

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

If you get stuck contact me, unsure at the moment but things might get busy in the next 7-10 days.

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

Recently, I've gotten a few PM's asking why I'm not going with the East Front. From some of my recent conversation with Pbem opponents I was under the impression people were getting bored with East Front.

Would those of you who have expressed interest prefer this concept be played out on the East Front? I can do that but it would require selecting an action to concentrate on and then theres the digging up of the appropriate OOB's.

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

Hello

East or west makes little differance to me. Having said that would seem a waste to not make use of your existing work.

I really don't mind :)

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

I think to start with it should be as per your orginal plan as this is where you have put the work into. Maybe Ostfront later on. IMHO

Bob out:D

Re: Multiplayer Campaign Idea
 

What I will probably do is "downsize" the current project and then, with enough interest got to the Eastern front for the next one. That should give me time to research possible themes and OOB's.